The Anambra State House of Assembly has approved a resolution calling on the executive arm of government to acquire and deploy 24-hour remote surveillance Closed-Circuit Television cameras in all public health institutions across the state.
Lawmakers insisted that the CCTV recordings should be independently supervised by the State Ministry of Health and designated complaint desk officers to promote openness and accountability.
They explained that the measure is intended to curb medical negligence and rebuild public confidence, which has been steadily declining in government-owned health facilities.
The resolution followed a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Njikoka 1 Constituency, Chidi Ibemeka, during plenary on Wednesday.
Ibemeka stated that the proposal seeks to address increasing concerns about medical laxity, delayed emergency interventions, and unprofessional behaviour among healthcare workers. He added that the system would align with global best practices in healthcare quality assurance by creating an impartial record of activities that safeguards patients against negligence while also shielding medical personnel from unfounded allegations.
He said, “The initiative is vital for restoring the dwindling confidence of Anambra residents in public healthcare. Many families currently flee to private hospitals due to a perceived lack of commitment at state facilities, with particular reference to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital.
“Recurring reports and public outcries regarding alleged medical negligence, slow emergency response times, and perceived unprofessional conduct by some healthcare personnel led to avoidable loss of lives.
“The Emergency Room, Intensive Care Units and Labour Wards are high-pressure zones where every second counts, and where the presence of accountability measures can significantly improve the quality of patient care.
“In the modern digital age, remote surveillance will be monitored from the Ministry of Health and independent complaint desk officers, who shall not be staff of the hospital.
“This will serve as a global best practice for quality assurance in healthcare, providing an unbiased record of events that protects both the patient from negligence and the medical practitioner from false accusations.”
Backing the motion, the Majority Leader, Ikenna Ofodeme, emphasised that CCTV footage would function as documented evidence to protect diligent workers while ensuring negligent personnel are held responsible, particularly in cases involving fatalities linked to carelessness.
“It is meant to monitor the activities of health workers and patient care. It tends to checkmate the laxity of medical personnel, particularly under emergency situations in public hospitals,” Ofodeme added.
Similarly, the member representing Ogbaru 1 Constituency, Noble Igwe, underscored the pressing need for an independent monitoring unit to act as a safeguard against workplace complacency and ensure healthcare workers remain committed to patient welfare.
The lawmaker for Aguata 2 Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Tony Muobike, observed that some existing digital mechanisms have fallen short of expectations, reinforcing the necessity for stricter oversight of health facilities to prevent unforeseen fatalities. According to him, the motion reflects the real-life experiences of Ndi Anambra in public hospitals, unlike standards maintained abroad where global best practices prevail.
Also speaking, the representative for Onitsha North 2 Constituency, Patrick Okafor, lamented the disturbing incidence of hospital deaths attributed to “carelessness” and distractions, including the misuse of mobile phones by staff while on duty.
The legislators further noted that the “unseen eyes” of CCTV would help curb workplace violence and enhance the safety of medical personnel.
They added that the surveillance initiative would reinforce the health sector reforms of the state governor and address concerns about health workers allegedly directing patients to their private clinics instead of public hospitals.
